That Forever: A Small Town, Friends-to-Lovers Romance (That Boy® (Chase & Devaney) Book 3)
That Forever: Chapter 4

I wasn’t sure how the frat party would go, bringing Chase and all. Usually, it’s not allowed, and the guys would throw a fit, but when Eddie greets us at the door and takes us around to meet everyone, I know it’s going to be okay. I’ve met a lot of the guys at other events we had last semester, but this is different. Chase is treated like the star he is—well, will be. And I have fun.

Growing up, I did competitive cheer and spent a lot of time with my teammates, but for the most part, my best friends were Chase and my brother, and we tended to hang out with their friends a lot. And while I like being in the sorority and am glad I joined, there has been a fair amount of drama in general, which was the one thing I hoped to avoid.

Although it’s been nothing like what it’s been in Alyssa’s sorority. There was actually a catfight over a guy at their last mixer. And she feels a lot of pressure to always look totally done up and dressed the way they consider appropriate.

Now that Chase is at school, I’ve sort of been second-guessing whether I want to even continue. It takes a lot of my time with the fundraisers, meetings, mixers, and other Panhellenic events. And going to hang out with frat guys isn’t as fun when you’re dating someone.

“I’m a bad host,” Eddie says to us. “I’ve yet to offer either of you a drink. I was just so excited for Chase to meet everyone.”

“That’s okay,” Chase says. “You know I don’t drink much.”

“We don’t drink much,” I add, “but I wouldn’t mind a nice cold beer right about now.”

“Come to my room,” Eddie says, leading us down a hallway on the first floor. I know that only officers of the frat usually get these key spots.

“Has your room always been on this floor?” I ask him. Even though we sorta dated briefly, I have never seen his room, but I got the impression that it was upstairs.

“You’re looking at the frat’s new president,” he says proudly.

“Congrats,” Chase says to him as I nod in agreement.

When Eddie opens the door, I half-expect it to be a mess, but the room is large and surprisingly tidy. Golf memorabilia lines the walls along with framed photos of Eddie on the course with his family and friends. There’s a green-and-navy plaid comforter on a neatly made bed.

“I have my own stash. Much prefer a bottle over the cheap keg beer,” Eddie says, bending down to open a small refrigerator. “What looks good?”

I point to a bottle of Corona, and Chase puts up two fingers, indicating we’ll both take one, just as Eddie’s phone buzzes with a text.

“Oh crap. Officer duties. You guys stay here, help yourself, and enjoy the quiet for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

I grab two beers out of the fridge, open them with a nearby bottle opener, then hand Chase one. I hold my bottle up in the air. “What should we toast to?”

“Oh, the list is long,” he says. “But let’s start with how good you look in that skimpy fuchsia skirt you are wearing, how I maybe was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some heart underwear underneath it when you just bent over, and just how sexy your matching cropped shirt is.” He touches the bare skin on my stomach with his fingertips. “Should I continue, or should we drink?”

I clink my bottle with his, we each take a drink, and then he slides his hand in the back of my hair and gives me a kiss. No, it’s more like just a taste of his lips on mine.

“Let’s see, what else?” he says. “How about how your lips taste like strawberry lip gloss? How gorgeous your hair looks. How I love the braid and the little pink flowers tucked into it. It reminds me of when we were kids. Sometimes, when we got married, you’d braid your hair and tuck daisies in it if there wasn’t enough to make a crown.”

“I remember, but now, it’s my turn to toast.” I hold my bottle in the air. “To my handsome date. I have to admit, I didn’t think you’d get into the whole dressing up thing. I know that’s not really you, but you went all out. Even flipped things up, not wearing white, but rather a pink oxford. Not to mention, the candy-hearts tie and socks. The best part of it all is that I know you did it for me.”

“I did. But what you haven’t seen are the heart boxers I have on. Ones that I know will look better on you later tonight.”

I let out a sigh.

He does, too. “Sorry, probably wishful thinking. What if we got a hotel? I miss having you in my arms all night.”

“What if we slept in your dorm room tonight? Like, just slept. We don’t have to have sex. But I really miss being with you.”

“I do, too. Now, that is something to toast about.”

“What is something to toast about?” Eddie says, coming back into his room.

“Being together,” Chase says smoothly.

“By all means.” Eddie grabs a beer from his fridge, holds it up, and says, “I’m sure glad I met you, Dani Diamond. I love your family and your friends, and I hope we all stay friends for a very long time.”

Shockingly, Chase nods his head in agreement. “Me, too,” he says.

And something about the moment makes me feel very happy. Like I’ve come full circle or something.

Drown it out.

Chase

We have a great time at the frat house, much to my surprise. And I can actually imagine being friends with Eddie. But all that’s on my mind as we walk back to my dorm is the hope that Treyvon is still out, partying somewhere, and that he has a very late night.

“What’s up, bro?” Treyvon says the second I open the door. And he’s there with a girl.

“Nothing, just came to grab my bag. I’m going to stay in Dani’s dorm tonight.”

“You are?” Dani asks, sounding surprised, but no way am I going to let her hear what goes on in this room. If I’m around when he’s hooking up, I put my headphones on and roll over to give them privacy, but it’s just … not something I want to subject her to.

“Unless you’ve changed your mind,” I say, giving her the eye.

“Oh.” She giggles, finally understanding. “I wouldn’t think of it.”

“Have fun,” Treyvon says.

As we head out the door, we hear the girl say, “I bet they won’t have as much fun as you’re going to have.”

“We’d have more fun, just saying,” Dani says. “Well, at least Alyssa is still in mourning over breaking up with Peter.” She looks at me seriously and says, “I had a really great time tonight, Chase.”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “And I’m hoping it gets even better. You think Alyssa might be out tonight?”

“Doubtful, but one can hope!” Dani replies cheerfully.

Hoping didn’t work. Alyssa isn’t out. She’s in her pajamas, listening to breakup music, gorging on pizza and chocolate, and crying.

After an hour of the crying and Dani trying to console her, I’ve had enough.

I fish a set of earbuds out of Dani’s backpack, connect them to my phone, put them in, turn on some music, and crash on her bed, trying to drown it out.